Madrid Events

Annual Events

Address: Plaza Dos de Mayo, Malasaña; Metro: Bilbao, Noviciado or Tribunal. Various other venues., Madrid Category: Holiday / Seasonal Event - Independence Day Dates: May 2, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

This traditional public holiday commemorates the day in 1808 when the oppressed people of Madrid rose against the invading Napoleonic troops in the War of Independence. As Goya's famous paintings of the event depict, the townspeople were slaughtered wholesale. Appropriately enough, the main events occur in the...

Address: Various Venues, Madrid Dates: June 3 - July 26, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

This international festival of photography and visual arts has been held in Madrid each summer since 1998. The exhibitions – always centered around a theme, such as Nature or History – are held in galleries, museums, cultural centers and even in the open air. They showcase new trends in the ever-developing world of...

Address: Hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida and Recinto Ferial Parque de la Bombilla, Glorieta de San Antonio de la Florida, Madrid 28008. Metro Príncipe Pío, Madrid 28008 Dates: June 13, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

The first of the big summer festivals, the feast day of San Antonio is one of the city's oldest and most charming traditions. On the morning of June 13, crowds of smartly dressed young girls visit San Antonio's chapel on the banks of the River Manzanares. Each drops 13 pins in the baptismal font, honoring the patron...

Address: Various venues around the city, Madrid Dates: June 23, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

The night of Saint John the Baptist – summer solstice – is the shortest of the year. Spain celebrates until dawn with partying, bonfires and fireworks. The tradition is stronger in Barcelona, but has recently been resuscitated in Madrid and is fast gaining popularity. Follow the noise of banger fireworks to the best...

Address: Various venues in the city, Madrid, ES Dates: June 25 - August 23, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

Over 130 cultural events from 27 countries feature at formal theatres and outdoor spots all over the city. These include the children's puppet cycle in the Retiro park and al fresco theater productions by the Muralla Arabe (Arab Wall). Open-air cinema flickers in the Parque de la Bombilla on the Paseo de la Florida by...

Address: Basílica de Atocha, Madrid 28014 Metro Menéndez Pelayo, Madrid 28014 Category: Religious / Spiritual Event - Celebration Dates: October 4, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

One of the patron saints of the city, the Virgin of Atocha has been worshipped since the 7th century. Even the recent royal wedding of Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz ended with a reverential visit to the cult figure. Her life-sized wooden effigy holds an apple in one hand and the infant Christ in the other. Followers...

Address: All over the old city, Madrid Category: Holiday / Seasonal Event - Carnival Dates: February 10 - February 16, 2010 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

Madrid's Carnaval isn't quite on the scale of Rio de Janeiro's or even Tenerife's, but it's still a major party with unbridled feasting, drinking and costuming. Events open in the Plaza Mayor with a line-up of decorated floats, marching bands and dance troupes, followed by a huge fancy dress parade all over the old...